After a short week’s break, the Formula One World Championship is back at the ‘Temple of Speed!’; at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Monza marks the final European race of the year and Pierre and Franco are gearing up for a high speed affair.
Excitingly, BWT Alpine Formula One Team reserve, Aron Paul will take the reins of Franco’s A525 to get a proper feel for it in FP1.
Track Profile: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
One of the shortest races on the calendar, Monza comes with the title of fastest. The circuit boasts some of the longest straights on the calendar with the final corner; Curva Parabolica leading into a near 1.1km straight
Track Facts:
First Grad Prix: 1922
Lap Record: 1:21.046 – Barrichello (2004)
Pole run to first corner: 472 Metres
Turns: 11 turns
Direction: Clockwise
Full Throttle: Approximately 80% of the lap
Historically, 12 World Championships have been settled by the circuit at Monza
Paul is looking forward to getting behind the wheel for the first time this year for Alpine at a race weekend, he’s previously driven for Stake in 2 FP1s and some out of season testing for Alpine:
“I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the A525 for my first Grand Prix weekend appearance with the team in Monza.”
He’s aiming high and make sure he can get the car set-up to be as competitive as possible come raceday:
“Personally, it will be great to build on the experience I’ve gained from the simulator and testing opportunities. I’ll make sure I use this to have an enjoyable and productive session for both me and the team.”
Franco looks to go one better this weekend than his season high 11th place finish in Zandvoort.
“I made my Formula One debut in Monza last year, so I am looking forward to returning, this time with some more experience under my belt. I spent some time testing with the team in Monza earlier this year and it is a track I like.”
Franco is excited to get back to Monza and seems to be fond of the track:
“With its high speed and long straights, the circuit is a favourite amongst the grid and it is such a historic track. I am eager to get out on track from Free Practice 2 onwards and get the weekend underway.”
Gasly on the other hand is looking to bounce back after a weekend where he never really got on top of the A525. Coupled with unfortunate safety cars and an alternate strategy that didn’t pay off he wants to get back on the points list in 2025:
“Monza is obviously a very special place for me as the location of my first Formula One victory in 2020.”
Much like Franco it is a track that Gasly loves to drive:
“The track is incredibly historic, and the high-speed nature makes it really special to drive. The long straights usually brings some good overtaking opportunities and we also have to get it right in the low speed corners, especially first chicane.”
What to look for at Monza:
Lap One at the Variante del Rettifilo:
The first corner is always a contentious one in races, but the tight corning needed to get through with 20 cars pushing through can mean places can be won and lost very quickly.
Overtaking –
With one of the longest straights on the Formula One World Championship Calendar, we should see many overtakes with the help of DRS as the drivers speed to the first corner chicane.
Tyre Strategy –
With such a fast track, soft tyres will degrade quickly, so we’ll likely see a medium to hard tyre strategy, but with such a safe strategy, will any team try something different to get the upper hand?
Trak Racer x BWT Alpine Formula One™ Team
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